Former St. Matthew employee charged with indecent contact with a child

A former employee of St. Matthew Catholic School was arrested Wednesday on a charge of indecent contact with a child.

According to a criminal complaint, a child reported during a forensic interview that Peyton Helgeson, 27, had touched her inner thigh over her clothing while at St. Matthew Catholic School, sometime between Aug. 23, 2024 and Mar. 26, 2025.

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The complaint did not state the age of the child, but an email sent to families by Xavier Catholic Schools Wednesday indicated Helgeson worked with the school’s Early Childhood Center.

In the email, Xavier Catholic Schools acknowledged the arrest and investigation, and assured “that our school culture remains warm and inviting and safe — where our children can flourish and grow.”

The letter did not state Helgeson’s name, but said the school district had received a report on Mar. 22 about the conduct of an employee at the St. Matthew Early Childhood Center’s Before-and-After-School-Care Program and immediately placed the employee on administrative leave to conduct an investigation.

Xavier also notified the Iowa Department of Human Services, which opened its own investigation, together with the Cedar Rapids Police Department. The school district paused its own investigation under advice from the police department, so the police investigation could more easily take place.

“Shortly after the preliminary investigation began, the individual in question was no longer employed by XCS,” the letter states.

Helgeson also used to work as a coach in the College Community School District, and his last date of employment was May 29, according to a district representative. The district did not say why Helgeson’s employment ended.

“At this time, it is the District' s understanding that the charges against Peyton Helgeson are not related to his previous employment as a coach or that these allegations involve students of the College Community School District,“ a statement from the district reads. ”The District will cooperate with any legal investigation requested by law enforcement in this matter.“

A warrant was issued for Helgeson’s arrest, with a $25,000 bond, was issued on July 25, and he was taken into custody Wednesday. Information about his first appearance in court was not available yet as of Thursday afternoon .

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com